Question
Can I invite my HIV-positive partner to live with me in the UK?
9 June 2008. Related: Access to treatment, All topics.
Can I call over from abroad my HIV-positive partner to join me in the UK for permanent residence?
Answer
The UK does not put a ban on positive people, as long as they reside here legally. Also, although HIV testing is rare, I think that the UK reserves the right to include a health test, including HIV, if they think someone is travelling here who is not well.
There may also be differences depending on where your partner lives and whether you have a legally binding partnership. If you are married or are civil partners, then health issues like HIV-status may be fine, but if this is not a formally recognised relationship, then your partner’s HIV status could limit how easily they can enter the country, if this is something you disclose on the application form.
If your partner is a citizen of an EU country, he/she can come to the UK without a visa and this is much more straight-forward as EU citizens can travel freely between other EU countries.
If he/she is a citizen of a non-EU country, the process is more complicated. You will have to send him/her an invitation letter and go through the partnership visa procedure. It varies slightly by country, that is why you will have to check the exact documents necessary in the local British embassy.
If you are successful in your partners application to stay, according to the legislation, your partner will not legally be able to access HIV treatment for one year after arriving in the UK. Sometimes it is possible to be treated anyway, but this varies by hospital, region and other factors. If they are on treatment, then making sure that he/she has enough medications for that period may be important.
This is a specialist area and it might be useful to contact the National AIDS Trust (www.nat.org.uk) for their advice.
Best of luck!
Do foreigners have an access to HIV medications?
Hi Roger,
I’m sorry but this is not an area that i-Base works in. However, the UK does not require an HIV test for entry or residence.
Is there any employer or agency from the UK can hire us to get a visa and eventually to get work even with HIV ? If yes ,how? Because here in Manila ,they required everyone to undergo HIV as part of medical exam before getting a visa
Hi Galegole,
There are no restrictions for HIV positive people becoming resident in the UK. However, this website is an HIV treatment information resource. So unfortunately it’s not our area of work.
But you could contact the National AIDS Trust. They might be able to give you more information.
Hi, I am HIV positive woman and my husband is negative we are Both South African and wanting to migrate to UK. Any advice please…??
Hi Kiki,
Yes it’s OK for you to apply for a visa to work in the UK. Being HIV positive won’t be an issue.
Please see more info on this Q&A.
Can i apply for permanent work permit and live in the uk
Im from Ghana
Im hiv positive
Hi Fetty,
People who are HIV positive can enter the UK. There are no restrictions.
Can will enter to Uk and I’m HIV postive?
Hi Mma,
Please see this Q&A. As Lisa says, being HIV positive and studying or working in the UK is not an issue.